Tuesday, November 2, 2010

A “Bloomin’” Giveaway

Hello there bloggy friends! I am so very happy to share with you what I have been working on for the past few – more like six or more – months. You know how you get an idea imbedded into your noggin’ and it just kind of keeps reminding you that “hey – get off of yer bum and do something about it!” So, here it is….my first bag pattern! When I was a young chickadee – 19 or so – I had a darling ruffled shirt made out of t-shirt fabric. Cute thing, that little shirt. It was my favorite. I wanted to create a bag that would look similar to my vintage ruffled and flouncy top.

Someday I will have to dig out the “vintage” photo of me wearing it. But you must promise NOT to snicker. Well, ok…one or two snickers is ok. Remember Farrah hair? Yea, I had that, too.

The tote bag is simply called SOPHIE’S BLOOMERS. The Bloomer bag is flirty and ruffly and very girly-girlish. When I was testing the pattern out, I made up quite a few to get it “just right”. The line up above is a sampling of those test bags.

I would also like to extend a big thank you and shout out for my TEST SEWER friends! A round of applause goes to SINTA,SHARON and JEAN! These women were very patient with me and offered me tremendous feedback for the pattern. Thank you so much!!

Being as I am NEW to this pattern business, I had many questions along the way. A big thank you goes to Ann, Pam, Elizabeth and Amy for sharing their professional pointers with me.

I am grateful for each and every person who has encouraged me to take this step. The process has been a lot of work, but enjoyable as well.

Remember my post about Elizabeth’s RED ROSE FARM fabric? It was secret squirrel stuff then – HOWEVER I can tell you all about it now. Elizabeth asked if I would like to make up two Bloomer bags in her new line of fabric. *insert a GASP here and please call someone who can perform CPR!!!* But wait, it gets even better…..AND she would take my bags with her to display in the PB Textile booth (the wonderful fabric company who has manufactured Red Rose Farm) at the HOUSTON QUILT MARKET!!!!

BE STILL MY HEART!!!

Below are the two bags that I made up using just a few of the delightful and GORGEOUS (say it again now…GGGGGORGEOUS) fabrics from the Red Rose Farm line. Elizabeth’s fabric is not only sweet-as-can-be but it is soft and just dreamy to sew on, too.

Just look at the pretty pink roses with pink polka dots in the background!

Below is the Bloomer bag made up of several coordinating fabrics. The bag can be made with two coordinating fabrics OR three OR four. Add a chunky ric rac along the top and a pretty rhinestone button for some girly bling.

I made the bag below in a sweet Lucien fabric with soft pink roses on a blue background. This one is for me…a girl has to have a few extra purses hanging around, dontchaknow! Right?

There are several reasons why I decided to share some goodies with y’all…..

1. The Giants WON THE WORLD SERIES!! - SO PROUD OF THEM! You guys totally rock! Seriously!

2. This month I turn 50. Yep, the BIG 5-0. This is my birthday gift to you.

3. And in memory of our Jordy boy’s 27th birthday. I know he is cheering me on in this endeavor. I can just feel his chin on my shoulder as he would so often do when he was watching me do something.

AND because I have three reasons to have a giveaway, there are three prizes.

Here is how this works…

1. The first winner will have the choice of either the teal or pink Sophie’s Bloomers bag (above and below). When you leave a comment, please indicate which one you would like to win.

2. The second winner will win the single ruffle burlap runner as shown below.

3. The third winner will win one of my Sophie's Bloomers Bag patterns.

If you would like to have several chances to win, please closely follow the directions below:

1. Leave a comment on this post if you would like to enter the giveaway.

2. For a second entry, leave another comment and let me know if you follow my blog.

3. If you are not a follower and would like to be, enter a separate comment to let me know if you are now a follower.

4. If you would like to share about the giveaway on your blog – via a post or a sidebar note – enter a separate comment that you have done so.

The patterns for the Sophie’s Bloomers Bag are for sale via my blog for now. If you would like to purchase a pattern, the cost is $10.00, which includes shipping to US residents. Simply drop me an email if you wish to purchase one. (sweetcottagedreams1@comcast.net).

Oh fun! I don't sew at all but I'm all excited about the other prizes! :) You know I'm a big fan of your gorgeous work. These are ADORABLE. I love the pink bag you're giving away. Happy, happy 50th! That's a good one.

Oh!Oh!Oh!Oh!Oh!I knew when I saw those RUFFLES I needed to pop over!OMGoodness!Look at your cute self creating these FAB bags!Good for you!You are adorable!And HAPPY HAPPY HAPPY Bday!I turned 50 last year!50s are THE BEST!!!!!!!! Pinky~Promise!Let me see!I do LOVE the ruffled burlap table runner!And if I had to choose between the teal or the pink ruffled bag...it would be the teal!I am loving teal lately!I may have to make a button to place on my side~bar.Can I borrow a picture?Snuggles to your Fiona and Dughall!Doogan is busy rehearsing for ANNIE! ;o)Love to you my Sweet Friend!xoxoxo

I am so very happy for you Becky. I wish you all the success in the world with your pattern business. I can't think of a better, more deserving person that it could happen to. I love both of the bags but for some reason even though I am not generally a pink person, love that one. Happy birthday to you and to your son Jordan.

Pat

PS. Oh yeah, I am a follower and left a comment finally on your blog too! And the givaway didn't make me do it!!!

Hello, Oh your bags are just beautiful. I love to visit your blog and see what beautiful creations you are working on. Thank you for the opportunity to win. What day is your birthday? I am a November baby too. Have a wonderful week. Terri

OMG, Becky, I never would have guessed 50 ;-) You are beautiful! I hope you had a wonderful birthday. Also, Jordan's birthday too. I am sure that you reminisced about all his birthdays past and enjoyed the sweet memories.

Oh, and such an incredible giveaway. I have admired your fine sewing skills and creative style for a while now. I would so love to win the very pretty teal bag! Hugs, --Leslie

Hey, I am a follower too, for quite a while now. I look forward to every post. Actually, I think that yours was one of the very first few blogs that I kept up with in the early days. Now, tomorrow, as soon as I can figure out how, I will also post on my blog too. I don't really have any content there yet because of taking care of my mother (24/7) who is a hospice patient, but I truly do intend to get it going very soon. Holiday decorating should be something fairly easy to begin with, lol. Thank you for sharing with all of us. --Leslie

I love both bags, but I think my favorite is the pink one. I can't get over how precious that bag is and those fabrics are to die for. So beautiful. I bet Doogs and Fiona love your new bag. I'm sure they offered you encouragement along the way too. Congrats on your upcoming birthday. the 50's club is not bad. I've been there awhile. Congratulations on your new endeavor. I know it will be very successful. I will post about your giveaway later. Love & blessings from NC!

Beautiful bags, that I would love to win! Please enter me in your drawing and if you can tell me how to become an "official" follower, I will as I check your blog 2-3 times per week, or more. (I swear I'm not stalking! You just have a wonderful blog!)

Becky, I don't know what to comment on first. OK first, I am so proud of you! Congratulations on creating such a beautiful bag pattern. I wish you BIG success with this endeavor. The bags are gorgeous! You might get me sewing!

Happy 50th birthday! The 50's turned out to be a favorite decade for me. I'm breaking in the 60's for you.

Oh these were worth waiting for!! I love the PINK one best of these two;). However, I really LOVE the one you picked for yourself,lol. Thanks for the chance to win. You did an awesome job on these!Karen

Becky~ It turned out beautifully.I love it and ofcourse I have tohave the pattern. I love the pink.I had the Farrar hair too but whodidn't back then. Happy BirthdayTo You....I had one too only Iturned 61 UGH!!!":o)

Hi Becky, Oh my goodness, your Sophie's Bloomer bags turned out "beautiful!"I love them!!!!!(you worked so hard on them)and they are lovely...You have created a fun, flirty and feminine bag (who wouldn't want to sport one on their shoulder). Please drop my name into the hat.. XO Elizabeth

Congratulations Becky on your wonderful accomplishment! You bag pattern is fabulous! Seriously!!! And now that I see your versions in all those sweet fabrics, I want to go make another one, two... a bunch!hehe. I love the was your pattern logo looks also- beautiful job! Jordy and the rest of your family must be so proud of you!! love and hugs

Whoooohoooooo....your amazing give away is on my side bar..... now what else can I do for another chance to win one of those beeeeeeautiful bags?Wash your windows, walk the dogs, iron your laundry??????I'd jump thru hoops to win...lol

BTW..... I am a pink girl but either would be soooooo fun to carry!

Happy Birthday to you and your son Becky!"50 is fabulous"..... I am here to tell you I am lovin it!

Becky these are sooooo over the top awesome. I love the pink, but wondered if you are going to sell any of the completed bags. I adore the one you are hanging onto yourelf. Happy, happy birthday to you!!!!

Without a doubt the pink bag is the one I want!! It is beautiful. I was just looking at purse patterns today on the web and now you come with such a lovely pattern. Congratulations and hope you sell lots and lots and lots of patterns!

your bags are so beautiful and fresh looking ... love Elizabeth's new fabric and can't wait until I own some of it. The pink would be my first choice, altho the aqua is just as wonderful, reminds me of spring ... endless possiblities with the layers for using multiple fabrics ... great first pattern!

Becky, congrats on this wonderful little endeavor!! So excited for you, the bags are just beautimus...

Being the HMB gal, I sure was excited about the Giants!!! Clicked into the live feed on CNN of the celebration parade while at work today...sssh, don't tell Artie - he thinks I was hard at work on a project for him - yeah, right.

The bag pattern is lovely - and I remember those early Rose bags you posted yet didn't put 2 and 2 together. My choice would be teal.I just had a much higher b'day number than you - you are younger than my youngest baby sister! Have a happy 50th and congratulations on your pattern release.

Oh of course Daisy and I would love to win. I love both do I really have to choose? Well o.k. I guess the pink one. I think I follow but I am not sure. I know I follow without following! LOL. I'll do the other stuff and leave you a comment because we just so want to win!Manny Blessings on your new pattern business. Love ya,Sherry and Daisy

Becky: Words cannot express how proud and excited I am for you. You deserve all the accolades and pats on the back. I predict great things for you!!! I'm honored to have been a teensy little part of your designing journey.

Don't enter me in the drawing. I still have to finish my bag, although I wouldn't mind an autographed pattern! I just don't know what I do with all my spare time! Yuck Yuck!!

I am NOW a follower of your blog (I just discovered you when I saw a picture of one of your darling bags on another blog.). Please enter me in the giveaway, I really want to win one of your bags (the pink is my favorite, but both are gorgeous) or BETTER YET, I'd LOVE the pattern!!! (I'm hoping for third place! LoL) Jody jody.edwards@yahoo.com

Does it count if I post the link on Facebook for my friends? (My blog doesn't really have links in it, cuz it's for another purpose.) I linked to this post, because I have a great deal of friends with "girly girls". :) Jody jody.edwards@yahoo.com